I am going to build a new first desktop. I need help on the parts to buy.

Main:

1. Processor
2. Card Reader
3. Power Supply
4. Motherboard
5. Memory
6. Case
7. Monitor
8. Hard Drive
9. Optical Drive
10. Mouse
11. Keyboard
12. Thermal Compound/Grease
13. Cable Tie
14. Heatsink or Water Cool (If water cool, give me the parts that I need or kit)

15. Graphics Card

It Is Gonna Be Used For: Gaming, Benchmarking, Overclock, Everyday Usage, School Work. Maybe Gonna Leave Computer 24/7 For Hosting. Programming & Photoshop when I learn.

Budget: $2000 and less. The lower the better.

Optional (This items are not included in the budget):

1. Printer
2. Router
3. UPS
4. Speakers
5. External Hard Drive
6. USB Flash Drive

Any missing parts, please inform me.

*Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista
*Hardware will be bought on May (after price drop).

I'll help you with the video card!

~$150 - GeForce 9600GT

    or Radeon 3870 is around this price and of comparable performance

~$200 - GeForce 8800GT

~$230 - GeForce 8800GTS 512mb

~$300 - GeForce 9600GT SLI (2 cards)

    or 9800GTX for a single card solution

SLI 8800GT or 8800GTS 512mb are options too, but personally I'd rather put that money into something else and go with the 9600GT SLI instead.  If you do want a price ceiling though, don't go for anything more than 8800GTS 512mb SLI, which will run you for around $465.  9800GTX SLI is not worth the extra cash, and the 9800GX2 performs roughly the same as the 8800GTS 512mb SLI and yet costs more.

those are my main suggestions on new PCS these days.. I don't feel like typing it all out again :)

Also.. you can swap out the 790i mobo for a 780i if you want to use ddr2 ram (which is cheaper and almost as good performance wise).

I still don't think people need an SLI setup these days... one 8800GTS or 9800GTX can really handle anything you need... if you have a good processor and some nice ram, you are set.

Oh, and for monitors.. go with a 22inch (1650x1080)... id say a samsung.. the 226bw was nice (not sure if they still make it).

Ok. Thanks ill look at it tomorrow. I dont think they are making 226BW anymore :(

Processor: Core 2 Quad Q6700 or Q9450 (After Price Drop in April 20)? I think the Q6700 cz it will be around $100 less than the Q9450 after the price drop and it overclocks more. The Q9450 uses less power and it is cooler but I heard there was a wall for overclocking.

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=1035424340+103530113+4802&Description=7200.11&name=Top+Sellers
Worth to add 25$ to upgrade to a 750GB?

GPUs: Don't know if I should go with one single card or SLI/Crosfire? People say that one-single card is enough.

I also don't wanna go with DDR3 memory cz the extra cost is not worth it.

This questions will help me pick most of the parts.

This is what I have for now. Total: 200

Card Reader: SABRENT 65-in-1 Internal
DVD Burner: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe SATA
Keyboard: Logitech G15 Wired
Mouse: Logitech G5 Laser
Thermal Compound/Grease: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2

Processor: The Q6700 will overclock more on a 1066/1333 FSB board since the native FSB of the chip is 1066MHz. The Q9450 (which is a better processor) will not overclock much (if at all) since it's native frequency is 1333FSB. The 790i motherboard has 1333/1600 FSB (which would allow for awesome overclock of the Q9450), but you said you didn't want DDR3 ram, so if you stick with a 780i board (its DDR2. and I personally prefer it over a 750i or any intel board) then go with the Q6700 (or even Q6600 if its cheaper). If you DO decide to go with a 790i board, then go for the Q9450.

Hard Drive: I'd say its worth the $25 to upgrade to 250GB more of space.

GPU: I still think ONE 8800GTS 512mb or ONE 9800GTX 512mb card will do you fine. However, I would stick with nvidia. You can always throw in another card and do SLI if you feel the urge.

The rest of your components look good. Only comment I would make is the thermal paste. I just got myself some OCZ Freeze for my VF1000 heatsink installation on my 8800GTX, and it was amazering. All of the reviews place OCZ Freeze as the top (or one of the top) pastes out there. You can get OCZ Freeze for 10 bucks including shipping at ZZF : http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007441&prodlist=celebros

willardcw4:

If you DO decide to go with a 790i board, then go for the Q9450.

or a g35 board if going m-atx as their been report of being able to get 4ghz+ with it. 

CrysisCore:

Ok. Thanks ill look at it tomorrow. I dont think they are making 226BW anymore :(

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=232493&prodlist=celebros

higgamo thats not a 226BW

 Do I need to keep the box to step up? What would be the price I will need to put in the page? Original, after I save, or after I rebate price? Does the new card price come from here? http://www.evga.com/products/prodlist.asp

9600GT ($150) or 8800GT ($160)
8800GTS ($220) or 9800GTX ($300)

*Prices are after rebate and eVGA lowest price models

What components/hardware/parts can be water cooled?

my current list:

Card Reader: SABRENT 65-in-1 Internal
DVD Burner: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe SATA
Keyboard: Logitech G15 Wired
Mouse: Logitech G5 Laser
Thermal Compound/Grease: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz

Printer: HP Officejet J6480 All-in-One Printer, Fax, Scanner, Copier

 My Standard Recommendation List (C)

Q6600 with Thermalright Ultra Extreme 120 - Best air cooler coupled with a 9x C2Q, can't go wrong.

4GB G.Skill DDR2-800 CAS 5/4, doesn't matter that much. Do not get DDR3 - you won't see much difference and DDR2-800 is dirt cheap right now.

GA-P35-DS3L. Go DS4 if you need more SATA ports and firewire. EVGA 780i board if SLI is needed in the near (within 1 year) future.When Nehalem comes out, you'll need to upgrade the motherboard and memory along with the CPU to upgrade so don't overspend.

Antec Earthwatts 500w or a 500-550W Corsair PSU.

XFX/EVGA GeForce 9800GTX - 1 powerful core is ALWAYS better than two slower cores due to software limitations.

Seagate Barracuda 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s

Thermal Compound - The one that comes with the heatsink. It seriously does't matter that much unless you're aiming for 4.0ghz.

Accessories: Anything you prefer.

Everything else looks fine. I wouldn't bother with water cooling, but instead go with a "slient" case like the Antec P180/2 series. They have good airflow, sturdy construction, and sleek design.